February 27, 2020, Community Engagement- the introduction of Levant (Civil contractor) to Project community
GWSD/GPD participated in the introduction of the contractor handling the Ogiso-Osunde gully remediation works to the community.
The activity facilitated by the livelihood department of NEWMAP drew participation from the Focal NGO, NEWMAP livelihood department led by the Social Mobilization Officer, Abraham Obode as well as beneficiary community members.
In his address, the Social Livelihood Officer told the participants that the project conception happened in 2017 as at when the NEWMAP team visited and informed the community of the proposed intervention. Adding that from that point on, the intervention has passed through different stages such as ESMP, Engineering design, and Resettlement Action Plan implementation, assuring the community that work will commence soonest. He solicited the support of the community and informed the gathering that there are over 110 gullies in the state awaiting NEWMAP’s intervention and a very limited time to act since the project will draw to a close next year. He advised against actions that will lead to delay or complete termination of the intervention.
On issues of grievance, the Social livelihood officer informed the attendees that an NGO is on ground to work closely with the community.
In his remark, the NEWMAP Assistant Project Engineer revealed that the intervention follows international best practices. Similarly, the NEWMAP Project Monitoring and Evaluation officer stated that GBV GRM boxes will be introduced to the project sites, as a proper medium for relaying complaints since the project follows international best practices. While commenting, the Executive Director of GWSD, the lead Focal NGO partner called for cooperation stating the project is a service to the community.
Finally, the social Livelihood Officer advised the community members to take caution while moving around the community since there will be a lot of machine movements in the course of work. Nevertheless, appropriate caution signs will be placed at strategic locations.
The team then visited the Office of the principal Edo College on a courtesy call in respect of the intervention and finally proceeded to the contractor’s site and project site.